The GRATIS story in short

We first started Gratis in 2016 when Central Vineyard moved into the Karangahape neighbourhood establishing Community Hall. We’ve always been big believers that connection is created over tables, and at Gratis it’s no different. Gratis has always been about more than a meal; it’s the first place we meet our neighbours, getting to know their names and stories over a hot cup of coffee and food collected from local cafes.

In 2020 amidst the first Covid lockdown, we became aware of the need on the streets. While we were safe indoors, many of our street whānau couldn’t access the basics like food and water. Alongside other local churches and community groups, we started taking hot meals and provisions out to those in the CBD. Getting out of our hall and into the streets opened our eyes; we learned of new needs as we meet new people. These people became our whānau too, and so each Monday night we have continued to be with them, sharing hot meals and drinks on the pavement of the CBD.

Over these years we’ve had the privilege of learning more and more about our local neighbours. We’ve become friends, we’ve celebrated with them, we’ve mourned with them, we’ve welcomed them onto the Gratis team to cook and serve alongside us, and we’ve started worshipping together on Sundays. Through manaakitanga, whānaungatanga is building.


Your opportunity to respond

If you’re a part of Central Vineyard church you are likely familiar with Gratis. Maybe you’ve helped out, at the very least you’ve heard a notice at a Sunday Gathering. Gratis is part of our church DNA - it’s woven into our fabric as a way we will always seek to love our city. Why? The reason is this; the Gratis community has become our community. There is no distinction. There is no us and them. We are all whānau. And as whānau, we do what we can to care for each other.

And as family we have different ways of helping out. Here are some ways you could join in:

  • Join the Gratis team - See details at the bottom of this page for a role that fits you

  • Pray for us - For our whānau on the streets and the team doing the mahi

  • Becoming a Gratis Giver - We know serving at the coalface isn’t for everyone, but if you have a heart for Gratis and would like to join the team in another way, we invite you to become a Gratis Giver - a regular giver to this ministry.

    To set this up follow the instructions on our Give webpage and update your reference to ‘GRATIS GIFT’

  • Make a one-off donation - Your donation could cover someone’s hot meal, it could warm someone up with a coat, or deliver a much needed food parcel.

One off donation
 
 
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GRATIS Street

Every Monday we bring hot food and drinks to the corner of Wellesley Street East and Elliot Street, outside Mojo Cafe. Approximately 6 - 7pm.

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Keen to join the gratis team?

Every Monday we need a team to make the magic happen. Here’s a rundown of the roles:

  • Collection: Help us collect food from cafes in the neighborhood. Monday 2pm - 4pm.

  • Cook: Help us cook a nutritious hot meal for around 100 people. Monday 3pm - 5pm.

  • Street: Help us get food and drink prepped and packed for the road, then come with us to the city center where we serve it to our friends in need of some kai. Monday 5pm - 7pm.

  • Prayer: As a people of prayer we’re committing to praying for the Gratis community and team. Signing up for the prayer team you would help us by receiving specific needs to pray for, either for the community as a whole or a person’s current circumstance (with anonymity protected).

If you’d like to join the Gratis team, or perhaps ask few questions you can email Natalie and Rob via the button below.